DEERS/RAPIDS questions with verified answers
Are Absent with-out Leave (AWOL) Soldiers in DEERS/RAPIDS eligible for benefits
and entitlements? Ans✓✓✓ No, Absent without Leave (AWOL) Soldiers who are
enrolled in DEERS/RAPIDS are not eligible for benefits and entitlements until they
are returned to duty. Once the Soldier is returned and present for duty (PDY) the
Human Resources (HR) system of record, the data will update and restore
benefits eligibility to Soldier and family. This requires the soldier to have a DA
Form 4187 returning them to duty.
Are Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Soldiers required to be placed on a Reserve on
Active Duty Status in DEERS? Ans✓✓✓ Yes, Active Guard Reserve Soldiers are
required to be placed on Reserve on Active Duty Status in DEERS for the initial
reporting date. The length of the order for the first term is 3 years. This will be the
end date for the Active Duty (AD) segment. The exception that cannot be changed
is for an Active Guard Reserve (AGR) member who is deployed. Their record
should not be touched
Are college and Graduate Students eligible for an ID card during Breaks?
Ans✓✓✓ Yes, Chapter 4 in the AFI (page 64 & 65, Table 4.4) "Summer Break and
Graduate Students "states: Summer Break: "Students who were enrolled as a full
time student for the semester or session immediately before the break may be
eligible for an ID card during break if they are accepted or enrolled immediately
after the break". For Graduate Students: "Issue a temporary ID card not to exceed
the 30th day of the month of enrollment as an expiration date to allow students
to complete enrollment procedures at the college or university in a graduate
study program or a 4 year degree program". As long as student proves he/she was
enrolled this previous semester and presents a letter of acceptance, an ID card
may be issued to make certain there is no lapse in coverage; it is only for a few
more months until he/she turns 23. If registrar office is unavailable, student may
go to National Student Clearinghouse for a print out of student verification status.
, Are notarized documents accepted as "certified" photocopies? Ans✓✓✓ Notaries
are not accepted with the exception of the VAP because all a notary does is verify
signatures, not certify authenticity and that is what is required. Notarized is
accepted as "certified" photocopies. In Air Force Instruction (AFI) Para 2.4.1 says
"marriage certificates, divorce decrees, and birth certificates must be certified
originals, court certified copies, or certified photocopies that reflect the file
number". Para 2.4.1.1 states If the Verifying Official (VO) views a social security
card, letter from the Social Security Administration or other official document that
states the number is a SSN when entering the family member. Attachment 5, note
7, line 5 it states "copies are permissible".
Can a child born during marriage which is not the Sponsor's child be added as a
step-child after the divorce? Ans✓✓✓ Children born during the marriage which
are not the Sponsor's biological child will require a dependency determination or
a DNA in the Divorce decree. The Army cannot change that child to a step child.
The Project Office will have to request the change to the record at DMDC and the
child will be changed to stepchild once all proof of documents are provided and
signed by a judge.
Can a Defense Enrollment Eligibility Records System (DEERS) facility refuse to
issue a new CAC if it is not within the 30 days before the expiration date
Ans✓✓✓ Yes, the local DEERS/RAPIDS Facility may refuse to issue a new CAC if
not within 30 days of the current CAC expiration date.
Can a retired Department of the Army Civilian obtain a chip less Common Access
Card? Ans✓✓✓ Yes, retiree's must bring in a copy of the SF-50 from their Human
Resources Department if they are employed. The Verifying Official (VO) should
load the information into Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS)
system and issue them an ID card. If the employee is not in as retired in the
system then they will not get the ID card until the servicing personnel office
updates their record. VO's will not issue the ID card by doing their record
manually.
Are Absent with-out Leave (AWOL) Soldiers in DEERS/RAPIDS eligible for benefits
and entitlements? Ans✓✓✓ No, Absent without Leave (AWOL) Soldiers who are
enrolled in DEERS/RAPIDS are not eligible for benefits and entitlements until they
are returned to duty. Once the Soldier is returned and present for duty (PDY) the
Human Resources (HR) system of record, the data will update and restore
benefits eligibility to Soldier and family. This requires the soldier to have a DA
Form 4187 returning them to duty.
Are Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Soldiers required to be placed on a Reserve on
Active Duty Status in DEERS? Ans✓✓✓ Yes, Active Guard Reserve Soldiers are
required to be placed on Reserve on Active Duty Status in DEERS for the initial
reporting date. The length of the order for the first term is 3 years. This will be the
end date for the Active Duty (AD) segment. The exception that cannot be changed
is for an Active Guard Reserve (AGR) member who is deployed. Their record
should not be touched
Are college and Graduate Students eligible for an ID card during Breaks?
Ans✓✓✓ Yes, Chapter 4 in the AFI (page 64 & 65, Table 4.4) "Summer Break and
Graduate Students "states: Summer Break: "Students who were enrolled as a full
time student for the semester or session immediately before the break may be
eligible for an ID card during break if they are accepted or enrolled immediately
after the break". For Graduate Students: "Issue a temporary ID card not to exceed
the 30th day of the month of enrollment as an expiration date to allow students
to complete enrollment procedures at the college or university in a graduate
study program or a 4 year degree program". As long as student proves he/she was
enrolled this previous semester and presents a letter of acceptance, an ID card
may be issued to make certain there is no lapse in coverage; it is only for a few
more months until he/she turns 23. If registrar office is unavailable, student may
go to National Student Clearinghouse for a print out of student verification status.
, Are notarized documents accepted as "certified" photocopies? Ans✓✓✓ Notaries
are not accepted with the exception of the VAP because all a notary does is verify
signatures, not certify authenticity and that is what is required. Notarized is
accepted as "certified" photocopies. In Air Force Instruction (AFI) Para 2.4.1 says
"marriage certificates, divorce decrees, and birth certificates must be certified
originals, court certified copies, or certified photocopies that reflect the file
number". Para 2.4.1.1 states If the Verifying Official (VO) views a social security
card, letter from the Social Security Administration or other official document that
states the number is a SSN when entering the family member. Attachment 5, note
7, line 5 it states "copies are permissible".
Can a child born during marriage which is not the Sponsor's child be added as a
step-child after the divorce? Ans✓✓✓ Children born during the marriage which
are not the Sponsor's biological child will require a dependency determination or
a DNA in the Divorce decree. The Army cannot change that child to a step child.
The Project Office will have to request the change to the record at DMDC and the
child will be changed to stepchild once all proof of documents are provided and
signed by a judge.
Can a Defense Enrollment Eligibility Records System (DEERS) facility refuse to
issue a new CAC if it is not within the 30 days before the expiration date
Ans✓✓✓ Yes, the local DEERS/RAPIDS Facility may refuse to issue a new CAC if
not within 30 days of the current CAC expiration date.
Can a retired Department of the Army Civilian obtain a chip less Common Access
Card? Ans✓✓✓ Yes, retiree's must bring in a copy of the SF-50 from their Human
Resources Department if they are employed. The Verifying Official (VO) should
load the information into Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS)
system and issue them an ID card. If the employee is not in as retired in the
system then they will not get the ID card until the servicing personnel office
updates their record. VO's will not issue the ID card by doing their record
manually.
